Any other MG lovers?

Question

I used to have a '78 MGB convertible, and looking for another one. Is the old myth true that every single MB leaks oil and nobody can fix it?

Answer 1

No, they don't, depends if you have a good seal or not. MG's do require constant maintence, but they are a very good running vehicle, and will last a very long time if properly maintained.

Answer 2

There are ways to reduce the oil leaks -- when we rebuilt the motor in my '71 MGB, I did the following:

Use Permatex soft gasket sealant (looks like reddish molasses) on all four surfaces to be joined -- that is, on the oil pan, both sides of the gasket, and the bottom of the engine block. And do this on all the gaskets in the car.

You may never ELIMINATE the leaks, however, because of the way the front and rear main bearings are gasketed -- there's a little cork strip meant to take up the space between the main bearing and the oil pan, and it needs to be trimmed to fit. If you cut it too short, oil leaks out the ends; if you leave it too long, oil leaks around the high spots; if you get it just right, it's STILL a tiny bit higher than the bottom of the engine and oil leaks around the ends. But with ample use of modern gasketing materials and VERY careful reassembly (mainly, don't OVERTIGHTEN the screws that hold any sheet metal onto the motor, or it will bend the metal and actually cause MORE leaks), we got it down to a few drips a month, and that usually after hard, sporting use.

On the plus side, when I had the motor out of that '71 MGB for the rebuild, I cleaned out the engine bay and there was ABSOLUTELY no rust in the engine bay or for that matter on the floor pan -- the oil coats the steel very effectively and makes an excellent rust preventative. :-)

Lovely cars. Everybody has a favorite year, of course, but I like the '68-'72 cars the best -- you have the fully synchronized gearbox, chrome bumpers and original ride height, later (and more comfortable) seats, and twin carburettors. And before 1970 you have the original "toothy" chrome grille, which is charming; I retrofitted one of those onto my '71 (in a straight swap with a friend who liked the "jet intake" look of the '71 nose better than the grille on her '68 GT).

Haven't had an M.G. in years -- I got seduced by the Dark Side of the Force in the late 1990s and now I have a pair of early Seventies Alfa Romeos. But my 15-year-old daughter has her eye on an MGB-GT for after she gets her license, so I may return to the fold one day soon...

Safety Fast!

Answer 3

i love mg, because, they are making a new plant, and bringing lots $$$$$$$ to our state!!!!!